Y’S OWL MACLURE CO-OPERATIVE CENTRE

A Brief History

Y’s Owl Maclure has over 34 years’ experience working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Before 1999 Y’s Owl Co-op and the K.C. Maclure Habilitation Centre operated as two separate agencies. In response to the Ministry of Community and Social Services ‘Making Services Work for People’ initiative, Y’s Owl Co-op and the K.C. Maclure Habilitation Centre merged together and became Y’s Owl Maclure Co-operative Centre Inc.

At present Y’s Owl Maclure supports approximately 300 people and offers a wide range of services from centre-based programs to community engagement. We provide a safe and non-threatening environment promoting a person’s right to become a fully participating member of their community.

IN THE NEWS

Carleton Place café serves up jobs, confidence for employees with autism
Owl Café brings much-needed services to rural eastern Ontario
By Julie Ireton, CBC News Posted: Feb 25, 2016 6:00 AM ET Last Updated: Feb 25, 2016 11:25 AM ET
Hugh Nelson, Cameron Weber and Susan Ford at Y's Owl Maclure's new coffee shop in Carleton Place, Ont.
Hugh Nelson, Cameron Weber and Susan Ford at Y's Owl Maclure's new coffee shop in Carleton Place, Ont. (Julie Ireton/CBC)
In his late teens, suffering the anxiety and social awkwardness that often comes with Asperger's syndrome, Cameron Weber had no confidence and didn't know if he'd ever be able to go to college or hold down a real job.
Then someone gave him a break — he became a barista at a major coffee chain. Forced out of his comfort zone to deal one on one with customers, Weber says he gained new skills and eventually won awards for his service.
Weber is now a commerce student at Carleton University, getting grades in the 90s. He's also chair of the board at Y's Owl Maclure, an Ottawa co-operative that serves people on the autism spectrum. In fact, Weber was the inspiration for Y's Owl's newest venture — a full service, community coffee shop on the main street of Carleton Place.
"There really is no businesses that have it as their mission or objective to solely focus on Asperger's syndrome," said Weber.
Rural presence
At the Owl Café, the aim is to give young people with autism not only a job, but also the skills, coping mechanisms and other support services they need to find success like Weber did.